Dixin Chen

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. NSCLC with gene mutations in a pathway called KEAP1-NFE2L2 is highly resistant to standard radiotherapy and frequently recurs after treatment. Blocking a protein called ATM can increase the sensitivity of KEAP1-mutant tumors to radiation but also raises the risk of damaging healthy tissues. FLASH radiotherapy, delivering radiation at an ultra-high dose rate, has shown promise in protecting normal tissues while maintaining tumor control. My research investigates combining ATM inhibition with FLASH to improve tumor control and reduce side effects. This approach could offer a new therapeutic strategy for patients with inoperable KEAP1-mutant NSCLC to overcome the low survival rates with current standard of care.